Boy Proofing

I have realized in my adventures to have families into my home that I now have to consider "boy-proofing".

No offense to parents of precious boys. But I have two girls and well, boys and girls are just different. In my experience having boys into my house, you really need to think about the toys in your playroom.

Boys have an uncanny ability to turn anything into a sword. They don't mind tossing around small pieces of furniture because they are protecting damsels in distress (my girls) from captain hook or a lion that escaped from the zoo.

I shouldn't just pick on the boys. Girls find their way into mischief too. Hauling large amounts of water into the play kitchen to pour into the fake coffee maker and for tea parties can cause some problems for your carpet too. Finger nail polish kits that you thought you had on a shelf too high...need I say more?

One thing I've learned is to establish parameters. I let the kids know the rules when they arrive-not in a stern manner but in a loving way. And I check on them a lot. But mostly I just consider each little guest before they arrive and if they come unexpectedly, I escort them to the play room and take a look around for things that might get in their way or become a flying object,and might not survive the flight! I also think about things they might enjoy playing with and make sure to set it out for them.

I've also decided that all contraband items can be tossed into my bedroom and the door can be locked. I encourage my guests to respect my older daughter's privacy and ask to be invited into her room before barging in.

I love to have kids over. They are so much fun. And I love it when they include me in their spy games or rounds of hide and seek. And I am amazed at how well they behave when they know their boundaries. When they are repeat visitors, I find that they remember the rules and respect them but also they flock right back to the games they played before.